2007 Asia Miles Binhai Ladies Open - Round 3: Na Da-ye bags maiden victory in China

Na Da-ye shrugged off an intimidating charge from two Koreans and two ChineseTaipei players to win her first professional title in the US$230,000 Asia Miles-Binhai Ladies Open at Binhai Golf Club.

The South Korean, who three weeks ago was the runner-up in the Thailand Ladies Open, posted a 4-over 76 for a 6-over total to beat Kim Hae-jung and Ji Eun-hee also from Korea and Chinese Taipei's Lu Hsiao Chuan and Yu Pei Lin by two strokes. The quartet finished with a three-round total of 8-over 224.

Hae-jung, whose last was the Orient Zhuhai Open title last year, played 74 in the final round, with the two Chinese Taipei players at 75 and Eun-hee, a two time winner on the Asian Tour last year, finishing the final day with a 4-over 76

However, it was Da-ye's right approach and smart play that made it possible for her win to today. "It's rather hard to believe that I have won but I believed in my capabilities. I did not play my normal charging game because of the winds and lots of bunkers. I changed my style to fit the conditions here. My best finish was a seventh placing in the Lakes Hills Open on the KLPGA Tour, but to pocket US$34,500 as a 19-year-old is something I never dreamed off," said the pretty lass from Jeju Island.

Da-ye claimed that she had a lot of confidence. "My scores weren't good. The course is simple but the winds decide the fate of the golfers and so too are the bunkers, lots of them here," she said, adding that all players deserved praised "because I think they handled the situation well'.

Da-ye said she was not able to describe her feelings but only quipped: "I'm very happy. I'm going back to the hotel to have a little celebration."

Hae-jung, who earned a conditional card to play on the USLPGA said she was happy to tune up for the KLPGA and the US LPGA events. "I'll play in tournament back home and in the US," she said.

Eun-hee, who will also be playing on the US LPGA this season, echoed the same sentiments.

"I'll give my undivided support to the KLPGA and the US LPGA," she said.

China's Shang Linyan, the round one leader was the best place Chinese professional. She finished joint 6th. Shang fired a final round 77 to tally 227.

Da-ye, who played in only two tournaments on the LAGT this season, received more honors when it was announced that she was also the winner of the LAGT Money List (US$44,500) and LAGT Order-of-Merit.

Leading final round scores (click here for full leaderboard)

222: Na Da-ye (Kor) 74-72-76

224: Lu Hsiao Chuan (Tpe) 78-72-74, Yu Pei Lin (Tpe) 74-75-75, Kim Hae-jung (Kor) 72-77-75, Ji Eun-hee (Kor) 74-74-76;

226: Shang Linyan (Chn) 70-79-77, Hong Ran (Kor)n 77-73-76

227: Jo Yong-ran (Kor) 75-78-74, Tseng Hsiu Feng (Tpe) 78-74-75, Yoong Su-jung (Kor) 72-7976, Wu Qunfang (Chn) 75-74-78,

March 23, 2007